The U.S. Health Care Debate

[a completely inoffensive name]

Well there is no doubt that the USA has a very unique history compared to the rest of Europe, and this has had both direct effects in terms of things such as economic development, and the values society holds, whether it's the work ethic, the role of the government etc.

And in that sense, the USA is special. But I think that over time it has been becoming much more similar to European nations. It started out as a nation welcoming all the poor huddled masses to a land of opportunity, now people talk about keeping the ordinary American's job from the foreigners. It started out as a nation which aimed to isolate itself from the power politics, state oppression, and imperialism seen in Europe, and yet eventually it would become notorious for policing the world. It was originally a diverse nation of many different people's, then people decided you had to be a WASP and nowadays the cheesy patriotism displayed by many Americans is becoming more similar to the nationalism seen in Europe with all the nasty connotations it has.

The US still has much of it's unique character, but it's only a matter of time before it disappears.

People have been talking about keeping foreigners out since at least the 1840s. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Know_nothing_party

Yes, the oppressed as now become the oppressors. I am very sad to have to acknowledge that. Before WW2 the US was implementing a non-intervention policy but now we have in many ways yet to turn off the Cold War mentality. But that will end eventually, probably within our lifetimes.

As for the cheesy nationalism, blame the 1980s with Reagan and the New Right coming to power.

EDIT: Oh as for that last sentence, I don't think it will disappear any more then France and Britain and Germany have lost their national identity. I mean is Europe more unified and homogeneous? Yes, but I can still tell with ease which country is which when I travel through them.